VIU professor to be inducted fellow in prestigious research consortium

Dr. Guy Le Masurier, professor of Sport, Health & Physical Education at Vancouver Island University, is receiving a prestigious honour for his research.

He’s among six candidates to be inducted as Research Consortium Fellows at the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) convention and exposition in Indianapolis, Ind. in March.

Le Masurier joins approximately 375 Fellows in the Consortium, a member group of more than 5,500 research scholars and other members who have a strong interest in research.

Attainment of Fellow status is one of the most prestigious honours the Research Consortium can bestow on a member. Fellows are selected based on evidence of scholarship, including research presentations and publications.

Le Masurier joined VIU in Fall 2006.  He completed his PhD at Arizona State and came to VIU from an assistant professor position at Penn State University.

“I’m passionate about engaging with students in community-based research and programming that positively impacts the health of children and adolescents,” said Le Masurier.  “I believe undergraduate research is a transformative teaching and learning tool because it rekindles students’ hunger to discover and apply knowledge.”

Le Masurier teaches two core courses (Research Methods in Physical Activity and Scholarship for Sport, Health, and Physical Education) in the Physical Education Major that allow him to guide students in the scholarship of discovery, application, and teaching.

Le Masurier is an expert in physical activity measurement using motion sensors (e.g., accelerometers and pedometers) and uses his expertise to examine the impact of physical activity on health outcomes. Currently, he is working on two National Institutes of Health (NIH) research projects with collaborators from Pennsylvania State University (Active Moms: Examining the impact of physical activity on maternal health outcomes) and the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Jersey (Changes in Physical Activity and Diet in Colorectal Cancer Survivors).  In both projects, he serves as the physical activity measurement expert responsible for coordinating data collection and analyses.  

Le Masurier is co-author of Fitness for Life: Middle School (see www.fitnessforlife.org), a concepts-based physical education curriculum for Grades 6-8 students.  In March, he and his co-authors will publish the Fitness for Life: Elementary School curriculum aimed at developing school-wide wellness.  Le Masurier also serves his profession as an Epidemiology section editor for the Journal Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport.

“We’re proud of Guy and his recent accomplishment,” said VIU President Dr. Ralph Nilson. “At VIU we’ve been well aware for a long time how much Guy’s academic contribution has added value to the experience of students and his colleagues. This well-deserved accolade is a sign that his pursuit of excellence and dedication to teaching, learning and research is being recognized internationally.”

According to Research Consortium President Susan J. Hall, University of Delaware, “Recognition as a Fellow in the Research Consortium signifies the development of a focused research agenda with an accompanying publication track record in an area related to human health and physical activity.  We welcome and congratulate the class of 2010 and look forward to their participation in the activities of the Research Consortium.”

The American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) is the largest organization of professionals supporting and assisting those involved in physical education, leisure, fitness, dance, health promotion, and education and all specialties related to achieving a healthy lifestyle.

AAHPERD is an alliance of five national associations, six district associations and a research consortium and is designed to provide members with a comprehensive and coordinated array of resources, support, and programs to help practitioners improve their skills and so further the health and well-being of the North American public.

The mission of the AAHPERD Research Consortium is to advance, promote and disseminate quality research within and across the disciplines and the professions served by AAHPERD. For more information on the Consortium, visit www.aahperd.org/research.